Dentists from seven southern states who annually met at the Hinman Meeting in Atlanta conceived the Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics (SEAOP). Interest in expanding the prosthetic portion of the program brought them together with the idea of adding time for a program that focused on prosthetics only. On March 22, 1953, these ideas were given direction with dentists from North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee being included. By 1954, 100 Charter Members had enlisted. In 1955, Louisiana became the eighth state to join SEAOP.
With constant growth in membership by 1957, the Hinman attachment was changed and the Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics began meeting in locations designated by the President. The format of two days of science, spouse programs and April meetings began to emerge. In 1959, the Academy was incorporated under charter from the State of Georgia. Shortly thereafter, the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry was accepted as the official publication. Virginia was the next state admitted to this academic union and Kentucky entered the Academy in 1967. Membership was addressed in 1974 when the present criterion of a maximum of 500 members with no more than 15 percent from any one state was approved. Life membership also became a category of membership. 1981 brought the addition of West Virginia to the rolls, bringing the total to eleven states. In April of 2007, Maryland was admitted as our newest state.
Essay contests were held for senior dental students beginning in the early 1970’s. This was later changed to the awarding of a plaque to the outstanding senior dental student in the area of prosthetics from each of the Schools of Dentistry within the Academy’s geographic borders. This award continues today supporting excellence in prosthetics. The Academy formed an Educational Foundation in 1999 which provides a scholarship to 2nd and 3rd year Prosthodontic residents from the Southeastern states. Our first scholarship was awarded in 2006.